Wheels Across the Pond, one of the largest British and European car shows on the East Coast, held its 15th event on April 8th. A classic car favorite event in Florida, each year seems to get bigger and better. Apart from the glorious weather in Jupiter, the show attracted over 300 vehicles in 40+ classes. Everything from Aston Martin, Rolls Royce, Mercedes, BMW, and Volkswagen, and so many more were there. The event is intended to showcase the best of cars from well, “across the pond” in a casual, people’s choice venue. There were six Jaguar classes, ranging from E-types to Jaguar “Other” which covered everything from a Mark IV drop head to state-of-the-art F-Types. Since the first show in 2007, the show has continued to grow in size and stature. Free to the public, the show raises money for the MiniMe Foundation and a Jupiter-based nonprofit wildlife hospital and sanctuary, the Busch Wildlife Sanctuary.
Now under the leadership of Sidney Vallon, Concours organizer, the event seemed to go off without a hitch. Bagpipers strutted through the grounds, exceptionally fine automobiles rolled in and there was even an Easter Bunny on hand for the kiddies. Some of the standout cars included Henry and Rocky Grady’s unique and special XKSS that has been in restoration for many years. Definitely a labor of love. It was great to finally see it in public! SFJC members Warren and Sandra Aplen brought not one, but two vehicles to the event. Congratulations on the great win with their E-Type! Other South Florida Jaguar Club member winners included two Best in Class awards for Chris and Lesley Karentz with their XJS and XJ Sedan. Betsey Chesler and Skip Walman took home gold in the Mercedes Benz “Modern” Class with their gorgeous red AMG. George Cole won Jaguar “Other” class with his Jaguar Mark IV drophead. Bill Hutchinson won Best in Class with his beautiful 1997 Jaguar XK8, driven all the way from Orlando for the show. Yours truly took home an Excellence in Class Award with the 1986 XJ6. All around, a very successful day for our members and a great turnout for Jaguars!
Another successful event, the Jaguar Club of Florida held their 35th Annual JCOF Concours d’Elegance March 26 at the beautiful Alaqua Country Club, in Lake Mary. It was great meeting old and new friends, mostly from Florida and Georgia. The venue, a new one for the club, was perfection. Held at the prestigious Country Club in the Orlando area, it was both private but welcoming to the public. The Concours cars were amazingly diverse – large saloons, small saloons, early and late E-Types, XK’s and even three notable racing Jaguars joined the event. Picture perfect weather, combined with great camaraderie with a group of Jaguar enthusiasts, couldn’t get any better. The entire JCOF team is to be commended. New JCOF President, Britt Chapman, Chief Judge, Ian Crawford, Concours Chair, Juan Sierra all did a phenomenal job. On an extremely unhappy note, however, a few short weeks after the event, JCOF member and friend Dwight Algeo sadly passed away. Our hearts go out to his wife, Delilah Davis and his family on his untimely passing. RIP Dwight.
Another wonderful well written article with the lowdown at, "Wheels Across The Pond." This has to be on my "Bucket List" and as a Member of our Club should be able to check it off someday. Congratulations to yours truly, with the Excellence in Class Award with His 1986 XJ6. No doubt that Jaguar Model is a work of Art.